Bali Adventures: Sun, Sand, and Unexpected Delights
As of September 3rd, Bali remains a vibrant destination, bustling with travelers. Everything is as normal, and the island continues to welcome visitors with open arms.
Day 1: Singapore Sojourn and Bali Bound
Our journey began with a flight from Singapore to Bali. We snagged a round trip ticket for about 4 million VND per person, which included a 12-hour layover in Singapore. The immigration process was a breeze, taking just about two minutes. From there, a quick 20-minute hop on the MRT brought us to our transit destination.
Transit Adventures in Singapore
Having explored popular spots like Chinatown and Little India previously, this time our mission was to hit the IMM outlet mall. It's a bit of a trek from the airport, over an hour, and arriving around 9 PM, we found many shops were already winding down. While IMM hosts major brands like Nike, Levi's, and Adidas, the discounts were a modest 20-50% as it wasn't sale season. However, we did spot some incredible deals at Coach, with discounts reaching 70-80%, though the post-sale prices still hovered around 5-7 million VND. Last year's Levi's sale, at a whopping 70% off, was definitely a sweeter deal. This year, Cotton On impressed us with its offerings, and if you have the time, it's worth a visit.
We headed back to the airport around 11:30 PM. It's fascinating how a simple tap of a Visa card on the MRT reader resulted in a mere 0.1 SGD for two trips, an unbelievable saving! After a refreshing rest in the lounge, we were up at 4:30 AM for some last-minute airport shopping before our 6:40 AM flight to Bali.
First Impressions of Bali Vibes
Upon landing, we hopped into a Grab to Kuta Beach, costing 94k plus a 12k airport fee. Our initial impression? The beach itself is pleasant, and the beachfront cafes were quite tranquil. The water was cleaner than what we've experienced in Vũng Tàu. Beachwalk Mall was on the smaller side, but we discovered a sizable Vietnamese restaurant on the third floor. With prices ranging from 60k to 120k, it wasn't overly crowded.
Day 2: Island Hopping to Nusa Penida
The following day, we rented a scooter for 125k VND per day to explore Nusa Penida. The ferry ticket to the island was 130k VND per person, booked conveniently through Klook. Once there, we rented a 150cc motorbike for 130k VND (down from 150k) and filled up the tank for 30k VND. Kelingking Beach was incredibly popular, with a lively buzz as everyone vied for that perfect photo. Luckily, a photo service for 15k VND per shot meant you could still capture stunning memories without the struggle. Crystal Bay offered clear waters perfect for swimming, though it was also quite busy. A 30-minute trek over a hill led us to Pandan Bay, a truly breathtaking and serene beach that earned a perfect 10/10!
As we returned to Sanur harbor in the afternoon, the vibe was wonderfully relaxed. We enjoyed a milk tea for 8k VND and a filling meal of rice for just 20k VND, proving to be much cheaper than Bali prices. After satisfying our appetites, we headed back to the main island. In the evening, we strolled along the beach, enjoying local treats like bakso (meatballs) for 25k VND and grilled corn for another 25k VND. A quick stop at a convenience store for some snacks added about 50k VND to our expenses.
Day 3: Majestic Monuments and Serene Shores
The next day, we spontaneously visited the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park (GWK). We booked our tickets via Klook for around 120k VND, which included a complimentary shuttle service. The colossal 121-meter-tall statue of Vishnu riding Garuda, a masterpiece that took 28 years to build and weighs 4,000 tons of copper, is truly awe-inspiring and a must-see.
In the afternoon, we explored Melasti Beach. The crystal-clear turquoise waters and stunning views made it a picturesque spot, with many couples capturing their wedding moments. It also features a bar, a swimming pool, and charming mini gates, perfect for those Instagram-worthy shots without the crowds. Parking cost 33k VND. On our way back, we stumbled upon a local eatery where we enjoyed Nasi (rice) for a mere 6k VND, drinks for 3k VND, milk tea for 12k VND, mochi for 2k VND each, and palm sugar syrup for 20k VND per liter. The affordability was genuinely surprising!
As we journeyed back, we were treated to a spectacular sunset view along the Bali Mandara Toll Road, also known as the Sea Link. This toll road stretches for approximately 8.3 km right over the waters of Benoa Bay, offering an incredibly beautiful vista.
Day 4: Departure and Michelin Flavors
We started our day with a delightful breakfast at the hotel. Afterward, we booked a car to the airport for 57k VND plus a 12k airport fee. With a two-hour transit at Changi, we had just enough time to savor a Michelin-recognized curry rice, a dish that has held its acclaim for 10 consecutive years. For just 10 SGD, it was a generous portion easily shared between two people.
We arrived back in Ho Chi Minh City around 5 PM, marking a perfect end to our four-day Bali adventure.
#bali #indonesia #nusapenida #kelingking #crystal #pandanbay #melastic
Credit: Sunny Sunny
